Chief Electoral Officer Narinder Chauhan said that Election Commission of India had issued instructions for contesting candidate to open a separate bank account a day before they file nomination papers.

Narinder Chauhan said the account could be opened in candidate’s name or in joint name with his election agent. He said that this account could be opened anywhere in the State including State Co-operative Bank and Post Office.

Chief Electoral Officer said that contesting candidate should not use existing bank account for election purposes. He further said that the crossed account payee cheques would be issued by the candidate for any item of expenditure exceeding Rs. 20,000.